The curtain rises, soft jazz music plays in the dim, smoke-filled light. The sound of a solo trumpet instantly captivates everyone in the bar. It is night-time. We can barely discern the figures in the dim light, and yet they tell us that even though they are physically present, their thoughts and spirits have already wandered far away under the spell of the music.

The various characters embody human qualities that we might encounter anywhere, any time. Daydreaming is the very essence of being human: everyone dreams of a better world, of justice, of love, and of the fulfilment they long for. Moreover, there are some people who manage it. The man who could work magic with his trumpet, and whose music spanned not only eras but cultures too: that man was Louis Armstrong.

Within the walls of the bar, the power of dance and music brings an endless treasure trove of symbols and associations to life.

The atmosphere, the rhythm, and the emotion all push the physical boundaries of the space, setting the piece on its world-conquering journey in the company of Louis Armstrong.

Thanks to digital technology, visual effects now make significant contributions to stage productions that operate within the realm of visual culture. There are many possibilities to be found here, though it requires very precise and versatile work, which only realises its final form and content through experimentation and a lengthy creative process. This part of the work is still a malleable, conceptual, sensory, and visual mass.

One thing is certain: the artists involved in the production are, in themselves, a guarantee of a world-class performance. The core elements of the piece – Louis Armstrong’s music and its profound message, Alexandra Sághy, Hungary’s multiple ‘Creator of the Year’ award-winner, whose works have enjoyed worldwide success, the Budapest Dance Theatre’s professional expertise and interpretative power, and the inspiring venue of the National Dance Theatre – form a unity in which the creation of the work comes about naturally and inevitably.

Budapest Dance Theatre director Béla Földi is also actively involved in the coordination and lighting aspects of the production.

Place: National Dance Theatre Budapest

Address: 1024 Budapest, Kis Rókus u. 16-20